One dead in early morning fire in Presque Isle

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The state fire marshal’s office went to the scene of a fatal residential fire Sunday morning, and later in the day released the name of the man who perished.

The body of Shawn Withington, 36, who lived at the home with his girlfriend and their 4-year-old daughter, was found alone in his bedroom after firefighters put out the fire, Stephen McCausland, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman said Sunday afternoon in a statement.

“[Withington’s] girlfriend — Tricia Ciccolella — discovered the fire when she returned home at about 4:30 a.m. with friends,” he said. “The woman and her friends attempted to gain entry to the home, but were forced back by smoke and fire.”

Withington had been with the others earlier in the night, but had gone home at about 1 a.m., McCausland said. Whitington’s daughter was staying with her grandparents for the night and was not at home.

According to a release from the Presque Isle Fire Department, crews responded to the report of a fire at a mobile home at 14 Tompkins Road in Presque Isle at 5:23 a.m. Sunday.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the fire marshal, according to Richard Wark, deputy fire chief in Presque Isle.

“There was significant fire in the structure when we arrived,” Wark said. “Half of the trailer was involved.”

Presque Isle firefighters received mutual aid from Caribou and Easton fire departments and the fire was under control in about an hour, Wark said. No other structures were involved or threatened.

Firefighters remained at the scene Sunday morning with the fire marshal, Wark said.

Correction:An earlier version of this story misspelled Shawn Withington's name. Incorrect information was provided to the BDN.